EST study shows improved heat pump performance

A new study from the Energy Saving Trust has found that the performance and efficiency of heat pumps has improved, following recommendations made in 2010 regarding design, installation and operation.

Technical data obtained from an in-depth study of heat pumps at sites across the UK has found that well-installed and operated heat pumps perform to a very high standard in UK homes. According to the EST, homes best suited for heat pump installations could expect to earn savings and income of around £1,350 a year on air-source heat pumps and around £3,000 a year on ground-source heat pumps.

This follows the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) announcement by the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) in July, which revealed householders could receive payments of hundreds of pounds a year for heat generated by renewable heat technologies, such as heat pumps.

The RHI for householders is designed to drive forward the uptake of renewable heat technologies in homes across Great Britain to cut carbon, help meet renewables targets and save money on bills. In July, tariff levels were set at 7.3p/kWh for air source heat pumps and 18.8p/kWh for ground source heat pumps, payable for seven years. Additional subsidies are also available to enable households to take up packages to monitor the efficiency of their heat pump.

The success of the heat pumps’ performance during the study was underpinned by the experience of the users. Eighty percent were satisfied with their heat pump’s performance, while over three quarters (77%) would recommend a heat pump to a friend, mainly because of its efficiency and running costs.

The results build upon Phase 1 of the research, released by the EST in 2010, which identified recommendations for the industry and end-users to achieve better performance from the technology. The results from Phase 1 showed wide variation, with the best-performing systems being those deemed to be properly designed and installed.

Phase 2, conducted between 2010 and 2013, investigated these variations in performance, with interventions carried out to achieve improved performance from the heat pump installations. Overall, 20 of the 32 heat pumps undergoing interventions between Phase 1 and this study achieved improvements in performance, with the remainder achieving similar or slightly lower performance.

Jaryn Bradford, senior technical manager at the EST, said: “Based upon the results of the study, we are convinced that heat pumps can play a significant role in providing an effective heating solution for homes and reducing carbon emissions.

“From the study, it is clear that heat pumps are sensitive to design, commissioning and how the householder uses the system. However, the performance-monitoring trials have provided early indications that the introduction of improved installation standards, amongst other things, will lead to improved performance.

“The recent government announcement about the RHI is a positive step in the right direction. We have already seen an increased uptake in renewable heat technologies among householders, communities and businesses, and expect this to continue following the announcement about the financial incentives.”

“This study is a positive step forward. It shows that high standard renewable heating technologies can save households significant money on their energy bills, and help to produce clean energy at the same time.

“I want to see more people reap the rewards that heating technologies have to offer…Energy Saving Trust’s encouraging findings will certainly help to bolster consumer confidence in investing in this innovative technology.”

After Phase 1 of the heat pump trials, the EST worked with relevant trade bodies, heat pump manufacturers, DECC and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to improve heat-pump installation guidelines and training. The EST plans to work again with these relevant parties to help improve heat pump installation and product standards within the MCS using the findings from Phase 2.